Reminder System as a Strategy to Improve Patient’s Adherence on Medical Appointment

Medical appointment non-adherence affects health outcomes and costs. Evidences have shownthat nearly 40% patients did not adhere to their treatment, fail to keep appointments or follow doctor’srecommendations. Sending reminders via e-mail and text message is one common intervention to enhancepatient’s adherence. The aim of the study is to provide an effective reminder system to improve patient’sadherence on medical appointment. Using the input-process-output-outcome scheme, we developed areminder system through web-based and mobile phone application. This reminder system facilitates thecommunication between patient and clinic staff. We tested this application among programmers and patientsin a primary clinic. The reminder system was applicable to be used by medical staff in a primary clinic. Patientscould easily download the application and put in appointment schedule; while clinic staff could check andset reminder system for patients. This reminder system is useful for patient to set medical appointment andto be reminded of their appointment one week, three days, and one day before. The reminder used emailnotification and SMS gateway to increase the effectiveness.